FTW: We've been watching NFL from wrong angle
With just under eight minutes remaining in the third quarter of the Falcons-Patriots game, the fog at Gillette Stadium had grown so thick that NBC had to scrap its traditional broadcast angles and go to its SkyCam angle exclusively.
And you know what? It was so much better than what we were used to seeing on NFL broadcasts. The traditional angle is somehow both too close to see all the action (we have no idea what coverage the defense is in or what routes the receivers are running) and too far away to really get a feel for the battle in the trenches.
The SkyCam solves both issues: Not only do we get a real feel for the pocket, but we also get a better look at the defense and receivers running their routes.
</div> <p>Has a simple checkdown throw ever been this thrilling from the broadcast angle?</p> <div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.338%;" class="streamable-embed-container"> <iframe mozallowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="https://streamable.com/e/99q8k?id=99q8k&width&height&autoplay&muted" class="streamable-embed"/> </div> <p>It's even better for running plays. From the SkyCam angle, we can actually see the rushing lanes developing.</p> <div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.338%;" class="streamable-embed-container"> <iframe mozallowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="https://streamable.com/e/8yi3y?id=8yi3y&width&height&autoplay&muted" class="streamable-embed"/> </div> <p>Gamers are familiar with the benefits of this angle. This is how a game of <em>Madden</em> looks, and there's a good reason for that: It allows players to actually see the field. Why don't NFL broadcasters want to give viewers that same luxury? The more information, the better the viewing experience.</p> <p>The networks have the technology to pull this off, and they'd be able to improve the angles (which can get a little weird down near the goal line), so there's rally no excuse not to eschew the angles of the past and embrace a better future for football fans.</p> <p>What do you think? Vote in our poll…</p> <a name="pd_a_9858200" id="pd_a_9858200"/> <div style="display:inline-block;" id="PDI_container9858200" class="PDS_Poll"/> <div id="PD_superContainer"/> <noscript> <a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/9858200">Take Our Poll</a> </noscript> </body></html>